A cover of The New Yorker last spring picked up on the zeitgeist: a young man hangs up his new Ph.D. in his boyhood bedroom, the cardboard box at his feet signaling his plans to move back home now that he’s officially overqualified for a job. In the doorway stand his parents, their expressions a mix of resignation, worry, annoyance and perplexity: how exactly did this happen?
"What Is It About 20-Somethings?" A good question, and a seemingly apt title for this New York Times article that delves into the psyche of folks in their 20's. The piece speaks on the possibility of a new distinct life stage based on research by J.J. Arnett, a psychology professor at Clark University ...but I'm thinking "Youth In Revolt" would be an even more fitting title despite already being the title of the recent Micheal Cera film, and cult classic novel. We have what looks to be a scattered tempering of what adulthood constitutes.
"People can vote at 18, but in some states they don’t age out of foster care until 21. They can join the military at 18, but they can’t drink until 21. They can drive at 16, but they can’t rent a car until 25..."
Back in our (our being my other 20-something year olds) parents days as 20-somethings they had similar psychological samplings, and the term "youth" was used to to house characteristics such as “pervasive ambivalence toward self and society,” “the feeling of absolute freedom, of living in a world of pure possibilities” and “the enormous value placed upon change, transformation and movement” -- all of these are now under the umbrella of "emerging adults", a term coined by J.J. Arnett. It's a very interesting read.
Read the full article HERE.
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